Taking out the chill....

Sometimes a good cocktail and a bowl of chili

are all it takes to take out the chill from the cold winter air.

Holiday Cheer (via Cocktails!)

I'm getting ready to enjoy some holiday cheer! Thanks to the great staff at Lincolnwood Wine & Spirits for recommending some pretty tasty libations!

Festival of Wood & Barrel Aged Beers

It was another fun year of beer tasting at the Festival of Wood & Barrel Aged Beers. I tried so many beers, that I honestly can't remember all of them - a few favorites were the Red Poppy, Black Xantus and Imperial Coffee Stout. A highlight of this year was making it into the VIP area - thanks Puccini!

Cocktail Anyone?

A cocktail is not a "cure all" - but it certainly helps at the end of a rough day!

Halloween Pub Crawl

A "super" time was had by all on the Halloween Pub Crawl...

A Little Sodom for your Gomorah

Went to Revolution Brewery the other night to try out their new Russian Imperial Stout - Sodom. It had a deep flavor and was very smooth. And it was a perfect compliment to it's partner in crime - Gomorrah - a small batch, dry stout.

TGIF

Relaxing Friday night on the patio -

wine, a good book and my buddy Otis. Who could ask for more?

The San Francisco Treat

Went to San Francisco for work last week - it was a quick trip, but we managed to have some fun! Our first night, we went to dinner in Belden Alley and then went to the Gold Dust lounge for cocktails & music. Our second night, we had a fabulous dinner at Scoma's on Fisherman's Wharf, followed by a night of debauchery with me & the guys.

Rosie the Riveter & the Revolution

For a late birthday celebration, I planned an evening at Ravinia (the Swell Season was fabulous!) Erin came up from Champaign for the day and got up to Chicago in time to have lunch with Becky and I - where did we go?

Do you even have to ask?

It was a simple choice - Revolution Brewery! Gotta love their bacon fat popcorn and their newly brewed hibiscus ale - Rosie the Riveter!

New Orleans - Part Three - The Drinks

It's not too difficult to find a good cocktail in the Big Easy!